Up Close and Personal – The war dance of Mars and Venus

Up Close and Personal – The war dance of Mars and Venus

Graha yuddha – a war between planets is when any two planets get very close and within one degree of each other. When planets get that close, there is usually a fight for resources or a purpose. The planet that wins the war is considered victorious and stronger.

Pandit Rath has taught us that when planets get together in one sign, there is a fight for resources that are signified by the sign. When they get together in one nakṣatra, the issue is about the meeting of the minds or the inherent purpose.

When we discuss a war, it is to do with mostly with tāra graha – Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The luminaries do not get into war. Sun combusts planets that come close to it and Moon has no enemies. The nodes eclipse the planets. Some say that Venus being luminous is also always a victor.

To understand yuddha, one has to be aware of the concepts of combustion and the natural orbs of influence of the planets.

Planets have their natural speed or gati, and sometimes their motion varies from their natural speed. A planet that is quicker than its natural speed is eager and fleeting like the Moon or sometimes is running scared like a child akin to Mercury. The state of that planet is ‘bhīta’. The planet that is slow is called ‘manda’ like Saturn. There may be a coldness and calculation to its movements.

Now, as we look at the sky for the coming months, Mars and Venus are getting ‘Up close and personal’ and there is a war looming between them.

The synodic period of Venus is about 365.26 days and that of Mars is 686.93 days. On an average the speed of Venus is about 3 times that of Mars, which means a war between the two planets should not last for more than a day.

However, as I had pointed out in my January monthly, Mars and Venus will be locked within 1° of each other in a battle for a whole month from February 12^th to March 12^th in the signs of Sagittarius and Capricorn. This is only possible due to the slower motion of Venus due to its retrogration until the early hours of 29^th January (BST). A planet ending retrogration appears very still in its movement before it changes direction, this state is termed ‘kutila’ or crafty after Kautalya the Machiavelli of ancient India. This effect is more pronounced for slow moving planets like Jupiter and Saturn. The table below is from ShriJyoti Star Software for 29^th January. Note that the velocity of Venus is almost zero.

The orb of influence of Mars is 17° and that of Venus is 10° degrees when it is in forward motion. The impact of the conjunction is therefore significant when they are within 13.5° of each other.

I had also written in the same monthly that Mars and Venus will be in a long conjunction period from 16^th January to 23^rd May through the signs of Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. Key new findings about this conjunction are –

• • Venus is below its natural speed (velocity of below 100%) till 18^th of March, whereas Mars consistently maintains a higher velocity of speed at 140%. This is why they are stuck in a battle together for a whole month.
  • Mars and Venus are within the orb of influence from the 22^nd of January to 26^th of April, therefore the conjunction has more significance in Sagittarius, Capricorn and Aquarius. The planets cross each other twice once by Mars on February 16^th and the second time by Venus on 6^th of March. The impact of Mars and Venus conjunction in Pisces is minimal as they are not within the orb of influence.
  • The impact of war will be most felt between 22^nd of January and to 12^th of March. The period before from the 12^th February to 26^th February is significant as Mars in Sagittarius is most euphoric in its ‘ucca abhilāśa raśi’ (one sign before exaltation) as it speeds and crosses Venus on the February 16^th in an extraordinary feat. Mars retains a higher longitude until March 6^th
  • The taste of victory for Mars may be short lived as Venus joins Mars, Saturn and Mercury in Capricorn with Moon creating a ‘yuga yoga’ on the 27^th & 28^th February (all planets in 2 houses) in the chart.
  • Both planets cross Saturn to move into Aquarius. Venus is in a war with Saturn as it crosses it on 28^th and 29^th March and Mars loses with Saturn in a war from 4-6^th April as it crosses Saturn to move into Aquarius.

The table below highlights the movements of the two planets Mars and Venus in various signs.

	Venus and Mars conjunction	Velocity of Venus%	Velocity of Mars%
Venus and Mars in Sagittarius – 16 Jan to 26th Feb
16th Jan	Mars enters Sagittarius	-50	137
22nd Jan	Mars and Venus are within the orb of influence – 13.5°	-28	138
12th Feb	Venus and Mars are in a war	49	140
16th Feb	Mars gains higher longitude for the first time crossing Venus	59	140
Venus and Mars in Capricorn – 26th Feb to 31st March
26th Feb	Mars goes into Capricorn	78	141
27th Feb	Venus follows	79	141
6th March	Venus gains higher longitude and passes Mars	88	141
12th March	War between Mars and Venus ends	94	142
28/29th March	Venus victorious in war with Saturn
Venus and Mars in Aquarius – 31st March to 26th April – War over but within the orb
31st March	Venus enters Aquarius	106	144
4-6th April	Mars loses in war with Saturn
7th April	Mars joins Venus in Aquarius	109	144
26th April	Venus and Mars are outside of 13.5°of orb of influence	114	144
Venus and Mars in Pisces – 26th April to 23rd May – Not in the orb of influence
27th April	Venus enters Pisces	114	144
17th May	Mars enters Pisces	117	143
23rd May	Venus enters Aries	118	142

 

Who is the winner here?

Mars represents the fire element and Venus represents the water element. Fire and water are enemies as water can put out the fire. Fire and water combinations are dangerous for life. Sagittarius, where the battle starts is a fire sign and will be supportive of Mars. It is a tough battle for Venus and victory can be secured only with a lot of intelligence and dexterity. Capricorn is earth sign is a friend of water. Venus is stronger in Capricorn but Mars is exalted. Saturn is naturally friendly to Venus, but when it is in its own sign, it can give the results of Mars.

While deciding the winner, the Rath tradition dictates that we take into account the longitude, latitude and declination of the two planets. Venus loses its lead in longitude from February 16^th to March 6^th indicating that Mars has more resources at his disposal. Mars is very powerful in Capricorn as it is exalted and in an impossible feat crosses Venus in longitude. However, Venus has more dexterity and focus in this battle shown by a higher latitude and declination. Caution is recommended as I am reminded of what SunTzu in the Art of War said “Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.” Mars may end up wasting its resources at its disposal.

Table for February 12, 2022 London, UK – from JS 9 ShriJyotiStar

What are the consequences of the War?

The natural significations of Mars – courage and logic could be lost. Heart and emotions may rule over the head. One needs to look into what Sagittarius is in individual horoscopes to consider what we are fighting for? Care should be taken as houses ruled by Mars and the cara kāraka (temporary signification) it represents may be weakened. Because of the conjunction with a strong and victorious Venus the natural aggression exhibited by Mars may be not so open. Mars in Sagittarius will feel more exuberant compared to its journey in Capricorn as it has to deal with Saturn and Mercury. In the end, the houses owned by Venus will emerge stronger. Venus is natural healer and symbolises rejuvenation. However one cannot rule out that the energy of Venus in a war is very different and will be influenced by the long conjunction with Mars. Its conjunction with Mercury in Capricorn can have a debilitating affect. Its natural significations of compassion and healing could be imbalanced until it reaches Pisces. Venus is also a morning star during this time in the sky, hence its nature is more prone to warring.

The war starts in the sign of Sagittarius in purvāṣāḍha nakṣatra and carries on in Capricorn in the nakṣatras of uttaraṣāḍha. Sagittarius indicates a righteous battlefield and purvāṣāḍha is the kali yuga nakṣatra where pralaya is expected to happen. It is a fierce nakṣatra that can withstand the calamity and be fortuitous in war. The symbol of this nakshatra is a fan and events that happen here can quickly spread in the world. Uttaraṣāḍha is ruled by viśvavedāsa, it is the ‘Latter Victorious one’. The gains of uttaraṣāḍha are more permanent.

It may be noted that the significations of the planets that are conjoined with the warring planets will also be impacted. Mercury, read – business interests will be less affected as it will leave Capricorn on March 6^th escaping the complex conjunction leaving Venus, Mars and Saturn. According to Saravali, a conjunction of Venus, Mars and Saturn creates conditions for wandering. A conjunction of 4 planets of Mercury, Mars, Saturn and Venus creates conditions for war and boxing.

Those with ascendants and Moon in the signs of Mars and Venus – Aries, Scorpio, Taurus and Libra will be affected the most as the lords of 1/7 axis will be involved in war. This could mean conflict or issues with business partners or in personal relationships. Those with ascendant or moon signs in the movable signs of Cancer and Capricorn may face challenges at work or struggle with issues of balancing of life and work. It could be a stressful time for Sagittarius and Capricorn ascendants due to the warring planets on their ascendants.

So what can you do to protect yourself?

• • Deva Yagna – Pray for the Peace of the world.

ॐ स्वस्ति प्रजाभ्यः परिपालयन्ताम्

न्यायेन मार्गेण महीं महीशाः ।

गोब्राह्मणेभ्यश्शुभमस्तु नित्यम्

लोकास्समस्तास्सुखिनो भवन्तु ।।

oṃ svasti prajābhyaḥ paripālayantām

nyāyena mārgeṇa mahīṃ mahīśāḥ .

gobrāhmaṇebhya śubhamastu nityam

lokā samastā sukhino bhavantu ..

May there be prosperity to the subjects, the rulers protecting the world in a lawful manner; may the cows and brāhmanas have auspiciousness eternally, may all the people be prosperous, may the rains shower in the proper season, may the earth be prosperous with the abundant crops; may the country be free from distress, may the brāhmaṇas be fearless.

• • If you are being thwarted by people fighting around you or feel like fighting yourself pray to Vrajendra and recite the Kṛṣṇa aṣṭhakam
  • If you are challenged at work and your confidence is low, recite the Aditya hṛdaya
  • Pray to Ṣiva and surrender if your ascendant, ascendant lord and Moon are affected.

 

References

1. 1. Pandit Sanjay Rath’s teaching of yuddha in BHPS course
   2. Bṛhat samhita – Part 1 Varahamihirā – Translation by M. Ramakrishna Bhat
   3. Sarāvali by Kalyana Varma – Translation by Santhanam
   4. ShriJyotistar Software by Andrew Foss
   5. Image from War Dance from West Papua: Tribute to the Heroes and Ancestors (westpapuaupdate.com)

 

ॐ प्रभु शान्ति